Has anyone stayed at the Hotel Castex in the Le Marais quarter of Paris? And do you recommend it.

Thanks.

I've stayed there twice, once in 2005, the other in February of this year. I like the location (a block from Place de la Bastille, with its Metro stop; easy walks to a couple of good restaurants).

Rue Castex is very quiet, save for a garbage truck that moves slowly and noisily past at 6:45 am; rooms on the back are significantly quieter.

On our first stay, the room and bathroom were spotless. In February, I noticed a bit of peeling paint on the ceiling of the shower. The front desk staff were fine. I would never describe the hotel as charming, but I love that area and would certainly return.

My rate in February was €106 for a small room on the fifth floor with a shower and a view over the roof. We had a larger room on the front in 2005, but I can't recollect what we paid. I think it had a full bath rather than just a shower stall.

Anselm

I could look it up, but will ask here--is there an elevator?

Thanks Anslem.

Yes they do have an elevator.

I just realized that I could look up our 2005 records quite easily. Our rate for the front room in May 2005 was €140 a night. The room was on the second or third floor, I think, and was definitely larger than the one I had by myself a couple of months ago.

Gretchen, as acee8 says, they do have an elevator.

Anselm

Wow, I think I remember when this hotel was touted as a "bargain". I guess no more. Thanks for all the info.

It used to be a budget hotel (and was highly touted by Rick Steves, so a lot of his followers stayed there), but then they renovated it in a completey different style (more traditional, used to be modern/funky) and raised the rates a lot. That was quite a while ago by now -- maybe 3-5 years. It's still in the range of some 2* hotels people on here call bargains (eg, Muguet, Bonaparte, etc.--the Muguet is now 170 euro for a queen/twin room), and the Castex is an official 3*. That isn't a bad price in the Marais for a 3* hotel with AC, in fact, some would say it's sort of a bargain.

I'd say your renovation estimate is about right, Christina. The bathroom fixtures and decor still looked new when we were first there in 2005.

Rick Steves: I'd forgotten about that. Now that you mention it, there was a sign in the elevator saying something about meeting arrangements for one of his groups.

I thought the €106 in February was quite reasonable. I only needed to stay one night and I feel very much at home in that area.

Anselm

Good info Christina, and correct about being pretty good for all the "amenities". I think it also was touted to have at least a "family" roomm. I'm just trying to keep up with possibilities. That isn't exactly my fave part of town to stay in, but who knows.

Why don't you like that part of town Gretchen? Will be my first time to France and I was looking at location and price when I singled out Castex.

ace

Don't get too hung up on preferences for 'location' - it can vary widely (although it's always interesting to see why someone likes/dislikes an area). Many posters at Tripadvisor mention "good location" in their review headings. Some people prefer to stay outside the most central areas, others wouldn't dream of staying in an arrondissement with 2 digits... it's just a preference.

Cool. I figured it's pretty centrally located and the price is right. Seems like a fairly safe area also.

ace

..is a very safe area and at the price is value for money for a arr 1-8 hotel. It is very close to the Bastille metro.

I stayed there in July 2003 and I believe the renovations had just been completed because there was talk in among the guests about the changes. I thought the neighborhood and hotel were fine. I would stay again.

ace, just to give you an idea, Île-St-Louis is about an eight minute walk from the Hôtel Castex; Place des Vosges about ten minutes; the rest of the Marais, about fifteen minutes; Notre-Dame, perhaps twenty-five; the vibrant rue de Lappe, about six; the intriguing 11th, almost at your doorstep. And yes, the area is safe.

Anselm